For all the joys of excitement of pregnancy, it still remains, for many people, a medical condition that you need to navigate carefully to keep pregnant person and baby safe. One way doctors work to reduce the risk of complications is to prescribe bed rest for a pregnant person.
According to AmericanPregnancy.org, bed rest can be ordered for a number of reasons including:
- High blood pressure, such as preeclampsia or eclampsia
- Cervical changes, such as the incompetent cervix or cervical effacement
- Vaginal bleeding
- Premature labor
- Multiples History of pregnancy loss, stillbirth, or premature birth
- Poor fetal development
- Gestational diabetes
- Placenta complications, such as placental abruption, placenta previa, and placenta accreta
“In most cases, bed rest is used to give the body it’s best chance to normalize. Bed rest will be used with women who have conditions related to high blood pressure in order to decrease stress and lower blood pressure,” according to their website. “Work, activity, lifting, or exercise may worsen or provoke certain situations, so bed rest may be prescribed to reduce vaginal bleeding or decrease the chance of premature labor. Bed rest may also be necessary to help increase blood flow to the placenta.”
So, you’re pregnant, and for whatever reason, your doctor has ordered you to go to bed and just stay there. Bed rest can be a few days long or it can be a long-term sentence (er, solution) to address a myriad of pregnancy complications. No matter how long you’re in for, take this time to indulge yourself as much as possible, to look after your mind the way the doctors are looking after your body and to do you (in the safest way possible).
Bed rest can be scary as well as boring — so entertainment and comfort are the names of the game. In addition to the presence of your loved ones (keeping pandemic safety in mind), here’s a few suggestions for some products to help you (or your pregnant loved one) get through bed rest with your sanity and comfort in tact.
A version of this story was published January 2017.
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Pregnancy pillow
You’re going to need pillows, no matter what. They help prop you up where you need it and they’re super-comfy. The Snoogle Pregnancy Pillow may be the best option for you and your bed rest bump.
Water bottle
Water is life, so grab a water bottle to keep on hand while you’re hanging out in bed (or on the sofa or wherever you may be). This Ello brand bottle is pretty nifty because it’s glass (so there’s no plastic leaching going on) and it’s covered in a silicone sleeve so when you drop it, it’s less likely to break.
Adult coloring book
You’re going to need to keep your hands and mind busy. When you’re tired of staring at a screen, adult coloring books will help keep your brain sharp (although pregnancy brain will still probably be a thing… sorry).
Our Health Editor also recommends this Keanu Reeves one because it is by far the most soothing.
A Laptop
“I was on bed rest for five weeks,” said Katie, who lives in Cleveland. “All I needed was daytime TV and a laptop. I hated it, but after bed rest was over and I had a baby to take care of I really missed bed rest.”
A Tablet
In addition to a cellphone, an inexpensive tablet like the Fire from Amazon can make the hours fade away, especially since you can stream the heck out of your favorite series you just found on Netflix.
Get Your Stream On
There are loads of series on Netflix. Loads. Also, Netflix has their own original works, many of which kick ass. Try on The Crown for size, for example, if you’re up for an excellent historical drama. Sci-fi? Try The OA or Sense8. If you’re in the mood for viewing something completely disturbing, queue up Black Mirror.
There’s also Amazon Prime, Hulu, Peacock, Apple TV and Disney+.
Good Charging Equipment
You’re going to want to be on your phone and/or tablet. Make sure you have long charging cables that will comfortably reach your reclining position, a good charging port/apparatus for your various devices (we love this stacking one!) to make sure you have all your options at the ready.
Good Books
“Books were my sanity the short time I was on bed rest,” says Kelly, mom of three. Send a family member to the library or grab an e-reader and get caught up on all your favorite authors. If you’re in for the long haul, check out a series like Tana French’s Dublin Murder Squad books.
Face Wipes
If you’re laying around a ton, you might start to feel kind of grungy. Disposable face wipes are the perfect solution — not only because they leave your face feeling fresh and clean, but because there is no rinsing required.
Face mask
During pregnancy, you want to be extra mindful of the safest skincare for you and baby. Face masks are awesome, and you’ll feel even more awesome after you’ve been laying around in a bed all day. This one simply peels off, and if you have face wipes handy, it’ll make cleanup a breeze.
Lip Balm
Face it. Even if you chug water like a pro, your lips are probably going to get dry. Fix it before it becomes a problem with a really nice lip balm. Get an assortment so you’re never bored. (Can lip balm be that exciting, you may ask? You’re about to find out.)
Dry Shampoo
Showering may be difficult to accomplish, or it may even be forbidden by your doc. Keep the head grease in line with a good dry shampoo, like this amazing cherry-scented version.
The Tingler
Don’t laugh. Or at least, don’t laugh until you’ve tried it. The Tingler may look like the goofiest thing in the world, but it’s going to make your head feel awesome. (
Massager
This looks like another kooky contraption, but this personal massager will help you soothe your own sore neck, back or feet.
A Real Good Vibrator
We recommend a lot of vibrators (literally hundreds of them) in these here parts. A good vibe (like the Hitachi Magic Wand!) that satisfies your needs can be a great ride-or-die buddy when you’re in bed, bored and lonely. Just make sure the reason for your bed rest is not one that masturbation would be harmful with e.g. vaginal bleeding, preterm labor, cervical issues, high blood pressure, preeclampsia, placental abruption — just talk to your doctor, please!
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